In 2006, my daughter bet I couldn't eat a different chocolate each day for a year. I enjoyed that year so much that, after 12 years, I'm still eating a different chocolate each day. And, after 4,700+ chocolates, there are still many more to try. Thank you to all who continue to be part of this global adventure.

Today's small discs of dark chocolate with almonds and sea salt from TCHO Ventures, Inc. (Berkeley, CA) were made of 64% cacao and Fair Trade Certified ingredients.

These discs were well-suited for experimenting with pairings with cherry and berry items.

The first pairing was with a Kirschwasser (cherry brandy). The alcohol and cherry flavor seemed a bit too much, and altered and "flattened" the dark chocolate flavor, giving it a slightly artificial taste.

The second pairing item was a Chloe's frozen raspberry pop (raspberries, cane sugar and water). Also, not a great pairing, although both were good on their own. The temperature difference did not help.

The last pairing was with fresh blueberries (not pictured). This worked the best of the three, but the dark berry flavor made this chocolate taste like milk chocolate (quite sweet) in comparison.

These discs are fine all by themselves. However, despite the lack of success today, they do seem well-suited to pairings, and experiments will continue with the rest of this package.

The Chocolate Cocoa Bean Ice Cream was part of the company's Naturals line, and was made with a list of 7 ingredients* and included cocoa that had been more minimally processed. (Much of the bulk cocoa powder people buy has been treated (alkalinized) to reduce the natural acidic content of cocoa. This apparently was not.) The chocolate flavor was still smooth.

Perhaps the favorite, chilled cherry and chocolate ice cream combination of the day was a small scoop of Cocoa Bean Ice Cream with rum-soaked cherries. This dish disappeared too quickly to be photographed.

Early Inclinations Toward Chocolate

Banquet Aftermath

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About Me

Enjoying life indoors and outdoors in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What if you accepted a bet that you couldn't eat a different chocolate for a year...and got more than you bargained for. See www.chocolatebanquet.com to find out more.